How to identify your Sabb Engine and Gearbox

When ordering your spares, it’s always important to correctly identify your engine and gearbox. The article below will guide you through the process of identifying your Sabb engine and the gearbox that is commonly used.

If possible, always quote engine Model, Year, and Number when ordering spares. These details are stamped on a plaque on the aft face of the raised hand start pillar, or on later engines on the rocker cover. Early plates had the year and number together, so for example No. 69312 is the 312th engine of that type made in 1969. Since 1982 the date is coded, and appears as two letters, like NU or AB. (The codeword is CUMBERLAND. NU = 1992, AB = 1984!) Quoting horsepower is confusing, as engines have been updated over the years. 18HP could mean a Model 2H or an old Model 2G. If the plate is missing or unreadable, the following should help.

These engines are fitted with a variety of gearboxes, or variable pitch propeller actuators, detailed below. The engine Model specifies both engine type, and gearbox. All have 2 to 1 reductions unless stated otherwise.

SERIES G.
Following a series of semi-diesels, this was the first true diesel, produced from 1955 to 2002 with a run of some 24,500 engines. Splash lubricated with huge roller big-end bearing running on crankpin and taper roller mains. Two lead-filled balance weights in the cover behind the flywheel reduce primary out-of-balance forces. Pinion on crankshaft runs in female gear with twice the number of teeth, so the entire rear bit runs at half engine speed. In effect, it drives off the camshaft. The massive flywheel at the front just fits on taper, with one large retaining nut. No lubrication to the top end apart from that provided by the oil can.

SERIES H
Developed from the G, introduced to provide a lower engine more suitable for yachts. Shorter stroke, and with small vane-type oil pump driven off single balance weight in the crankcase. Shell mains and big end were solid thick shell type early, then changed to a thin wall. A lighter flywheel is bolted onto the front of the crankshaft with four bolts. Usually fitted with a Bosch dynastart & twin V belts running in grooves machined on the outside of the flywheel. When dynastart became unobtainable, a big re-design to allow starter motor and alternator set-up, but 3 years later (1980) production stopped.

SERIES GA
The air-cooled version of the G was introduced primarily for use in ships’ lifeboats (this started Sabb’s knowledge of this market-leading them to virtually write off the leisure boat market after the arrival of Yanmar, and concentrate on lifeboats). Crank as G, but the finned barrel, alloy direct injection head (others indirect), flywheel incorporating fan, and optional mega bilge pump! Originally rated at 12HP, more power was needed to pass some regulation, so in 1978 bore increased and different pumps and injectors raised this to 14HP. Cancelled contracts in the 70s led to several being sold off cheap to private owners.

SERIES 2H
In terms of capacity, 2 cylinders the size of the H. Rated at 18HP, of one up, one down design, unlike the Bukh similar-looking engine. The oddity in the range is Sabb’s attempt at a lightweight engine. Unfortunately, the designer died during the development, leading to many modifications and alterations during the production run. Fitted as a standard unit in many yachts, and due to identical mounting dimensions, replaced single cylinder engines in several boats.

SERIES 2G
Twin version of the G in size. Huge heavy and slow, a bit like an old Lister. Tunnel boring crankcase houses 3 bearing crank, flywheel on front taper as the G. Main and big ends all thick solid bearings, lubricated by gear oil pump. Indirect injection, one pump per cylinder. A vast range of gearboxes and variable pitch boxes fitted, with 2 to 1, 1½ to 1 and direct drive options.

SERIES 2J
A 3-cylinder version, to be called the 3G was never completed, and instead, to get more power for the lifeboat scene, the 2G was over bored, fitted with direct injection, and became the 2J. They look identical, except the 2G has one rocker cover over both pots, and the 2J has one on each. These engines were fitted to many lifeboats until the marinized engines took over. Production stopped in 1983.

MITSUBISHI-SABB ENGINES

M4.130, M4.140, M4.210
M = Mitsubishi based 4 = 4 cylinder 130 = 1.3 litre
The 130 was quickly superseded by the 140, over bored by 2mm. There are very few of these engines in the UK.

M4.295GR, M4.295GR-LB
GR = Hurth Gearbox LB = Lifeboat specification
The base engines used in the Mitsubishi range are M4.210 – 4DQ50, M4.130 – K4D, M4.140 – K4E, and M4.295 – S4E2. Production ran from 1982 to 1997, when Mitsubishi suddenly ceased making the S4E2, (without informing S.M. of their intentions!) Spares orders for the M4.295GR-LB engines are now quite frequent, mostly for electrical components such as relays, stop solenoids, starters, alternators, and water jacket heaters, and occasionally hoses, water pumps etc

Ford-Sabb Engines

Based on Ford industrial engines, these were not sold over here as many UK versions were available. Requests for parts do occur sometimes from commercial customers. Base engines were from the 2700 and 2720 range. F4.144 54HP, F4.254 68HP, F4.415 85HP, F6.216 80HP, F6.363T 130HP, F6.363TI 150HP, F6.595T 155HP, F6.595TI, and F6622 127HP. T = turbo I = intercooler

Iveco-Sabb Engines

When Ford Industrial products packed up, these engines took their place. Iveco engines are a more recent addition to the Sabb range and spares are readily available. Type 8041M08-LB. and 8061M12-LB.

Lister-Sabb Engines

L2.093LB – 18HP. L3.139LB – 27HP. L4.186LB – 36HP.
Made for the lifeboat market, based on the Lister Alpha LPW2/3/4. Increasing demand for running spares, filters, drive belts etc., plus on-board spares kits as required by some regulations. New Lister range 4 X90 and 3 X90.

SABB MOTOR now concentrate on Ship’s Lifeboat engines, based on Ford, Mitsubishi and Lister. The Series G is still
made, (1988), as are spare parts for all others in the range